Lightfoot launches program to match city’s first responders, health care professionals with volunteer childcare workers

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office launched a new program Sunday offering workers on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus access to childcare services.

As part of a city partnership with Sittercity, a web company based on the Near North Side that matches families with nannies and babysitters, health care workers and first responders are being offered three free months of access to the site’s premium service.

“Sittercity is waiving its fees for three months,” said company spokeswoman Katherine Madariaga. “If a sitter wants to volunteer to waive their fee that’s great, but for those that want to work for a fee, they will be able to set their hourly rate as part of the on-boarding process.”

Lightfoot’s office is encouraging people who have experience working with children — like teachers, daycare providers, tutors and coaches — to “pitch in” as their workplaces remain closed while officials seek to quell the spread of the rising coronavirus by instituting policies promoting social distancing.

A new website allows both volunteers and those seeking childcare services to sign up for the program.

“During this unprecedented challenge to our city, we need everyone stepping up and doing their part,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “I applaud Sittercity for doing just that by providing a gateway to the critical childcare needed by our fellow Chicagoans working on the front-lines to stem the spread of COVID-19 and maintain essential services for our communities.

Other Chicagoans looking to lend a hand can visit the city’s coronavirus site for more opportunities to volunteer for various nonprofits, including the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Lakeview Pantry, New Life Centers and My Block, My Hood, My City.